Seducing the Innkeeper (At First Sight Book 3)

by Janet Lane-Walters

  Mark removed his sweater. He stepped to her and bent to kiss her breasts through the silk of her bra. She stroked his back and ran her hands over his skin. The tiny nubs on his pecs hardened. His penis filled and pulsed against his jeans.

  Her sigh urged him to rush but he wanted to savor every moment. He opened her bra and drew the straps down her arms slowly revealing her breasts. He cupped them. “You’re beautiful.” He bent his head and caressed each with his tongue and lips.

  Mark released her and unzipped his jeans and slid the zipper down. He eased them over his hips. His erection sprang free. Christa ran her hands over his chest and down his belly. She stroked him with a finger. “You’re magnificent.”

  Her words and the crooning sound of her voice made him ready to burst. When she rubbed the head he nearly lost control. “Christa.”

  She knelt and took him into her mouth centimeter by centimeter. Her tongue rolled over the surface.

  Mark growled. “Enough.”

  She opened her lids. Her blue eyes held glints of mischief. She slowly released him, rose and unfastened her jeans. She wiggled them over her hips. When she tossed them aside the sight of a sheer lace thong nearly undid him. He took a deep breath. He would give her what she’d given him.

  He ran his hands from her shoulders to her groin. He knelt and slid his thumbs beneath the edge of the thing and slid the swatch of lace down. He touched her clit with his fingers, leaned forward and flicked her with his tongue.

  She gasped. He slid his hand between her legs and stroked.

  “Enough, I need you.”

  “Inside.”

  “Yes, oh, yes.”

  He rose and stepped behind her. “Come to the bed.”

  As a unit they crossed the room. When they reached the bed she sprawled face down. He knelt between her legs and ran his hand over her rear. She rose to her knees. “Mark, now.”

  He thrust into her. “Now indeed. You please me completely.” He slid a hand around her body and found her clit. As he plunged and retreated he stroked. Her body jerked as though struck by lightning.

  Mark stroked faster and harder. He grasped her hips and pulled her tight against him. Harder and harder he thrust. Sounds poured and rolled around him. He wasn’t sure which were hers and which his. He reached the explosion point. Her inner muscles tightened.

  “Christa. Mine.”

  “Yours.” She collapsed.

  He stretched beside her and fought to catch his breath. He stroked her back. Finally his breathing slowed to normal. He pulled her into an embrace. “You okay?”

  “Yes.” She gazed into his eyes.

  He brushed his lips over hers. Sleep beckoned. For the first time in years he felt no tension. She kissed him and slipped from his embrace. He reached for her hand. “Don’t leave.”

  She gathered her clothes and slipped into the bathroom. “I can’t stay. Davy’s waiting.” The door closed with a click.

  He heard water running. “I could join you.”

  Moments later she emerged. “You could but not this evening.”

  “Why not?” His body responded to her nearness.

  “Davy said tomorrow. I think he has questions and I need to set the ground rules. He needs to know you’re not going to buy him everything he thinks he wants.” She brushed a kiss on his lips. “Weekends are my time with him. I need to come to grips with sharing.”

  Mark wanted to protest. For nine years she’d had every day with their son. Could she share? He had to let her choose how this would play. “Tomorrow then. What time?”

  “Around eleven when chores are finished. We’ll go to lunch.”

  He followed her to the door. “Why not find a sitter for tomorrow evening. We can go to dinner and discuss how we’re going to share our son. There are places I want to show him and people I want him to meet.”

  She laughed. “Don’t rush. Perhaps Sunday we can have the talk.” She opened the door and stepped outside. He followed. “Mark!” She pushed him back. “Good thing there aren’t a dozen guests out strolling.”

  Mark chuckled and stepped behind the partially open door. As she walked away he had an idea. Last evening the waitress had said Christa and Davy ate their evening meal in the restaurant before the room became crowded. At five thirty he would head there for dinner. Maybe, just maybe the boy would invite him to their table. He closed the door and walked to the bedroom.

  * * *

  Christa hurried along the walk through the garden. She chuckled. Mark had almost followed her. Certainly would have shocked people to see a naked man in pursuit of the innkeeper. She checked the porch of her house and paused at the front door. He had really wanted to join Davy and her this evening. Their son had said tomorrow and she needed time along with the boy. And apart from the man who had rocked the foundations of her life not once but twice.

  How would Davy react to the sexual tension gathering when she and Mark were together? An intoxicating tension waiting for a spark to raise a firestorm. Another problem lurked. How could she share her son with another person? Until now she’d been the only adult he completely trusted. His interaction with Stella and Peggy had made him wary.

  As she let herself into the house she thought about the moments after she and Mark had made love. When he’d gazed into her eyes, she knew her feelings for him had shone. He’d been about to say something. About love? He hadn’t. Neither had she said the words she’d wanted to say. Fear about expressing her feelings in case he rejected them had ruled her tongue.

  She paused in the front hall. The sound of her half-sister’s shrill voices made her want to scream. She had to remain firm with her decision to cut the financial cords. She couldn’t allow their whining and tantrums to cause her to back down. Mark’s concern was spot on. She had allowed their manipulative behavior to rule her life.

  A gasp at the realization startled her. They were part of the reason she hadn’t tried harder to reach Mark. She had feared their behavior would doom any relationship with him. Starting a family complete with a pair of spoiled and angry near-teens would have been impossible.

  “Davy, are you ready?” she called.

  Stella sauntered from the living room. “He’s still at the inn washing potatoes for pennies. Why not let his rich daddy buy the bike?”

  “If he earns the money he’ll appreciate the bike.”

  “So you say.” Peggy joined her sister. “I enjoy the clothes and jewelry you buy for me. Davy said you went to see Mark. How much child support did you demand?”

  Christa sucked in a breath. “That’s not your concern.”

  “You wimped out.” Stella made a face. “He’s Davy’s daddy. He’s rich. He should be willing to lay out serious cash before you let him see his son.”

  Peggy nodded. “Then you could stop holding back the money we’re due from the inn’s profits.”

  Christa’s anger escalated. “I’m not asking for money and you won’t receive a cent more than I offered.”

  “God, you’re such a fool.”

  “Because I felt sorry for my orphaned half-sisters and caved to your demands. No more. You have a week to find a place to live.”

  Stella fisted her hands on her hips. “That’s not fair.”

  “How can you do this?” Peggy screamed. “With his dying breath Daddy said you had to take care of us.”

  “The nurses told me he never regained consciousness. I’ve taken care of you. You have college degrees, new cars, closets full of clothes and shoes and a ton of jewelry.” Christa opened the door. “Go to St. Johnsbury and look in the paper for positions and apartments.” She left the house. For the first time in years she felt free.

  At the inn she entered the kitchen. Davy sat at the table and counted the potatoes he had washed. “I earned three dollars and forty cents.”

  “Good job.” She winked at the chef. “Mind if I take your helper.”

  “He’s yours.”

  Christa ruffled Davy’s hair. “Ready for dinner and the mov
ies.”

  “Sure am.” When they reached the Jeep he halted and looked around. “Guess he didn’t want to come.”

  “He did but you said tomorrow.”

  “You’re right.”

  Christa opened the door. “There are things we must discuss.”

  He wrinkled his nose. “Rules.”

  Christa laughed. “Exactly.”

  * * *

  Mark reached the cottage door and headed to the inn. His cell buzzed. He looked at his watch. He had time to reach the inn for the early dinner hopefully with Davy and Christa. The buzz continued. He pulled the phone free and pressed to answer. “Blakefield here. This had better be important.”

  “Tony on this end. Hope I’m not interrupting anything interesting.”

  “Not yet. You have news.”

  “Learned several things. She was always Christa Sommers.”

  Matt sat on a porch chair. “Where did I get Parsons?”

  “From Matt.”

  “How? Did Matt say she was Christa Parsons? He never met her.”

  Tony laughed. “Here’s how matters went down. I popped up when you were leaving. Matt called to say he’d been accepted at Parsons for architecture…You yelled congrats, tossed the receiver to me and booked out of there.”

  “Damn.” Mark gripped the phone. He could have found her if he hadn’t been so addled when he found she hadn’t been waiting.

  “Now that’s straightened, you need to take some notes on how to proceed.”

  Mark picked up a note pad and a pen. “Shoot.”

  “A paternity test for starters.”

  “No need. Once you see him you’ll know he’s mine.”

  Tony growled. “Idiot. You need to protect your interests when you take her to court and sue for custody.”

  “Not going to happen.”

  His friend growled. “At least sue for visitation rights and for permission to take him out of state. We’ll ask for alternating weekends and holidays plus a month every summer.”

  Mark jotted a few words. Paternity. Sue. Visitation. “I’ll keep your suggestions in mind. If my plans bomb we’ll go to court. I can live with visits but I won’t take Davy from his mother. She’s fantastic and has raised a great son.”

  “What if you are ordered to pay a hefty support payment?”

  “Will be worth it. I don’t think I have to worry.”

  “What do you plan?”

  “You’ll hear the details after I make my move. By Monday I should know if Christa and I can work out suitable arrangements.”

  Tony cleared his throat. “Why did you ask for legal advice if you plan to do your own thing, whatever that is?”

  “Always have a backup plan.”

  “My advice doesn’t come cheap.”

  “Send your bill. When I pay I’ll throw in a few phone numbers and even make some intros.”

  “You’re not thinking rationally. Be very, very careful. She’ll never give you an ounce of say in the boy’s life. She’s been in control too long.”

  Mark laughed. “I believe she will. Care to place a bet. I have a feeling she’ll give me more.”

  “Sure she will.” The sarcastic growl made Mark grin. “Buddy, you need to take a stand. She has possession of what you want.”

  “That she does. I figure seduction will work.”

  “Play it cool. No hasty moves. Call me and I’ll draft the legal battle plans and set them in motion.”

  Mark dropped the notepad. “Sit tight. I know what I’m doing. A show of force isn’t necessary and could turn the situation into a mess. I want this to be smooth and easy.”

  “Just what are you planning beyond seduction?”

  “Something long term. Maybe marriage.” A bark of laughter nearly popped his eardrum.

  “What?”

  “You heard me.”

  Tony snorted. “With the woman who ran and hid your son from you?”

  “She had good reasons.”

  “Right. What if she values money over marriage? Bet she’s about to call her attorney. This could end with costing you a fortune.”

  “You sound like her half-sisters. You should meet them. They give greed a whole new meaning. I’m off to give my plan a try.” As he disconnected he heard Tony sputter.

  Mark left the cottage porch and walked to the inn. He stopped in the lobby. The woman at the desk smiled. “Can I help you?”

  “I’m looking for Christa.”

  “Are you her friend who’s staying in one of the cottages?” Mark nodded. “Sorry, she and Davy left five minutes ago.”

  “Any idea where they went?”

  “It’s Friday. They usually have dinner out and then go to a movie.”

  Mark leaned on the counter. “What kind of car does she drive?”

  “Bright green Jeep.”

  He turned from the counter and strolled to his car. He recalled a sign just before he’d turned into the inn lot with a distance to the next town. Five miles. He would take a look and find them.

  An hour later he returned to the inn. The town had been small and there hadn’t been a movie theater. He pulled into the parking lot and slumped in his car. He could ask for directions to the theater. If the show had started he couldn’t search for them. With a shrug he entered the dining room and ordered dinner. After he finished he looked for Christa’s Jeep. Not finding the vehicle he went into the bar and ordered a beer.

  Chapter Five

  Christa watched her son dig into the hot fudge and caramel sundae. He grinned. “Maybe we can come here tomorrow.”

  “Instead of lunch with Mark?” she asked.

  “He could come. I bet he would like ice cream.”

  “What about the bike?”

  He made a face. “I don’t think I have enough money and you won’t let him buy me the bike.”

  “That’s right. Are you worried about the meeting?”

  “Sort of. Having a dad is exciting and scary.”

  She leaned forward. “What do you think happened to him?”

  “When I was little I didn’t think about having a dad. I had you. Then I thought he was dead. After the half aunts showed me the picture I figured he’d run away. I kind of forgot about him.”

  She covered his hand. “You never asked.”

  “If he’d run away that would make you sad.”

  Christa smiled. How she wished she’d known these things. Would her life have been different? Maybe not. Even if she’d spoken to Mark the problem of her half-sisters would have existed.

  “Are you sure you want tomorrow to happen? I can tell Mark you’ve changed your mind and need more time.”

  “That wouldn’t be fair.”

  “All right. We’ll meet him. Remember, there are rules.”

  Davy made a face. “Like what?”

  “He might bribe you with presents.”

  “Not if you say no.” Davy scraped the last of the sundae from the dish. “Where now?”

  “What do you say to home?”

  He yawned. “Sure.”

  A short time later they parked in the inn lot. The half-sister’s car was gone. Mark’s silver sports car sat between two dark sedans. As she and Davy walked to the house she wondered if Mark was at the cottage or the inn.

  A wave of yearning smacked into her intention to avoid him. She clutched her hands. Yearning was a poor description of the pulsing need she felt. Falling into his arms had been a mistake but she feared she would fall in love again. Though tempted to go to the cottage once Davy was in bed, she wouldn't since she couldn’t leave her son alone.

  When she closed the front door Davy dashed upstairs. The moment he’d showered and dove into bed he called her. Christa kissed his cheek and left the room.

  What now? Television held no lure. She couldn’t leave the house. She considered calling Mark. A frown furrowed her brow. Not cool. One look, one touch and she would be in his arms. That would lead to bed but not with Davy in the next room.

  She yawned.
When all else failed a hot shower and bed should work. Last night’s restless sleep had made her yawn all day. She entered the bedroom and closed her door.

  After kicking off her shoes and pulling her sweater over her head, she unfastened her bra. She cupped her breasts. Her nipples tightened and she stroked until she felt an answering pulse below.

  With a sign she stripped off her jeans and panties. She lay on the bed. One had slid over her abdomen to explore between her thighs. A finger circled her clit. Short panting breaths sounded. She cried for Mark as she had so many times in the past. Her fingers rubbed faster. She felt the burn and continued the frantic stroking. Slowly like the unfolding of a bird into a flower she reached for a climax. For a time she hovered on the edge of a discovery. As the sensations climaxed in a full flowering she cried out. She sighed. Though momentarily satisfied she wanted more. She wanted Mark’s touch in reality not in a dreamy fantasy.

  * * *

  Mark finished his beer. Nearly ten. Surely Christa and Davy had returned home. Could he go to her? He wanted to be with her but he had to remember his plan. Win the boy and the woman would follow.

  “Another?” the bartender asked.

  Mark shook his head. “Can I ask you a few questions?”

  “Sure.”

  “I’m the editor of a travel magazine. My head writer thinks this inn would make a great feature.”

  “It’s a great place.” The man rested his elbows on the oak counter. “Ask away.”

  “Is the bar always this slow?”

  “In the spring and fall. Winter and summer there are crowds.” The bartender grinned. “A feature might be good for business. A warning, steer clear of Christa’s sisters. They invent sagas out of air. Did you know the inn’s for sale?”

  “Why?”

  “Don’t know. Have a feeling if the pair was gone Christa might keep the place.”

  For a moment Mark wondered how connected Christa and the bartender were. “Have you worked here for long?”

  “Ever since the accident. Watched Christa struggle to keep the inn going, fight with those girls and have young Davy. She’s managed all without a misstep. Good thing her mother tied up the inn the way she did. Place would have fallen apart if Christa’s father had owned the inn.”